A FAMILY whose son had to learn to walk again after being treated for leukaemia, have highlighted an awards scheme that recognises courageous children with cancer.

Mohammed Rayaan Zafran, from Burnley, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in April 2016 when he was just two-years-old.

The little boy had to celebrate his third birthday in Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

He has undergone intense chemotherapy treatment over the last year and bone marrow transplants and lumbar punctures with drugs administered via his spine under anaesthetic.

And Rayaan, now aged four, who lives in the Duke Bar area of the town with mother Aneesa Akhtar and dad Zafran, was nominated for the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teen Star Awards, by his mum.

The awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, celebrates the strength shown by young people who have been affected by cancer.

They are open to all under-18s who currently have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.

All nominated children receive a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, T-shirt and certificate signed by famous faces including Emma Thompson, Una Healy, Aston Merrygold and Peter and Emily Andre.

Aneesa said: “The Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Star Awards really offer encouragement for children going through cancer.

"I think they are a great idea.

“During Rayaan’s treatment he’s had to have a feeding tube fitted as well as a Hickman line to administer the chemotherapy drugs.

“Considering what our little star is going through he’s fighting it so well.

“Rayaan had chemotherapy administered by his Hickman line once a month, with oral chemotherapy medication daily at home and he has his bloods taken every week.

“He was also on steroids each month for five days.

“Due to intense chemotherapy Rayaan had less strength in his legs and it meant he could not walk for a while which was really hard for him. He lost all of his hair.

“And due to so many steroids in his body, as part of his treatment he was also very moody and short tempered. “However, throughout all of this, my son smiled through every step. He’s my star and is very brave.”

Currently Rayaan is on maintenance treatment and once the intense phase of his chemotherapy had finished he went back to nursery.

Aneesa said: “Despite looking different from all his other friends at nursery, having no hair, Rayaan never let this put him down and enjoys his time fully.

“He’s now enjoying visiting the park and playing with his friends and little cousins. Rayaan also loves to go to play in sensory rooms as well as watching Mr Tumble and Octonauts on TV.”

Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens spokeswoman in Lancashire, said: “We’re calling on people in Lancashire to nominate inspirational youngsters for this year’s Star Awards so that we can recognise their incredible courage.”

To nominate a child for an award, visit cruk.org/kidsandteens.